Entertainment
Eurovision 2021: Date, time, and how to watch in the UK
The Eurovision Song Contest officially returns this year, and we know for sure it will be worth the wait.
The singing competition was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the European Broadcasting Union have confirmed it will go ahead this year, albeit with restrictions.
While we still don’t know for sure what Eurovision will look like, we understand that it won’t feature thousands of fans packed into an arena with a full press room.
Most countries have already announced their entries, with James Newman set to represent the UK with the upbeat bop Embers.
Here’s hoping that James will be able to turn the UK’s fortune around, as the country ended up in last place in 2019 with Michael Rice’s Bigger Than Us.
The Netherlands are the current reigning champions, following Duncan Laurence’s win with Arcade in 2019.
As we draw nearer and nearer to the Eurovision broadcast date for 2021, we give you all the important details you’ll need.
What date is Eurovision 2021?
The first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 is scheduled to take place on May 18, with semi-final two on May 20.
Meanwhile, the grand final will be broadcast on May 22 from the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain automatically qualify for the final as the ‘big five’, alongside the Netherlands who won the competition in 2019.
What time is Eurovision 2021?
Both the semi-finals and the final will be broadcast from 8pm in the UK.
Each show will be approximately two hours long, while the final is set to be even longer, at four hours.
This also includes the amount of time it will take for the points to be tallied for each country, and for the eventual winner to be determined and announced.
How can I watch Eurovision 2021 in the UK?
Eurovision will be broadcast on the BBC this year, with both semi-finals being aired on BBC Four.
The final will be shown on BBC One, with Graham Norton returning as commentator.
You will also be available to watch the contest on catch-up via BBC iPlayer if you are unable to view it live.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 semi-finals will be broadcast on BBC Four on May 18 and May 20, with the final airing on May 22 on BBC One.
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